18 Interesting Facts about Malta

• Location and Borders: Malta is an island nation located in the central Mediterranean Sea, south of Italy. It is situated approximately 80 kilometers south of Sicily and is not bordered by any other country.
• Square: The country covers an area of approximately 316 square kilometers.
• National Currency: The currency of Malta is the Euro (EUR).
• Official Languages: The official languages of Malta are Maltese and English. Maltese is the national language, while English is widely used in government, business, and education.

Interesting Facts about Malta:

1. Size and Population: Malta is one of the smallest countries in the world, with a land area of 314 square kilometers and a population of about 450,000 people.
2. Religious Symbols: Many homes in Malta feature an image of the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus attached to the exterior walls for protection.
3. Divorce Laws: Divorce is not allowed under Maltese law, so many residents live in lifelong civil unions.
4. Street Design: The streets of Malta are designed to be long and straight to allow projectiles to fly without damaging buildings, a legacy from historical sieges.
5. Festivities: Every holiday is marked by lively and colorful celebrations throughout the country.
6. Historical Connection: Malta and Sicily were once connected by a bridge, and remnants of old ships can be found along the coast.
7. Megalithic Sites: Malta is home to seven megalithic sites, all of which are protected by UNESCO. The Hypogeum Hal Saflieni and the city of Valletta are also UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
8. Coastline Quality: The islands of Gozo and Comino have won gold medals for their coastline quality, ranking third in Europe.
9. Friendly and Peaceful: Malta is known as one of the friendliest and most peaceful countries in Europe, with very few strikes and low crime rates.
10. Historical Award: In 1530, Emperor Charles V awarded Malta the Order of the Hospitallers, which later became known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
11. Sunshine and Climate: Malta enjoys an average of over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, with average daytime temperatures of 23°C (73°F) and nighttime temperatures of 16°C (61°F).
12. Lively Communication: Like many Southern Europeans, Maltese people are known for their lively and loud conversations, often shouting to friends across the street.
13. Educational Institutions: For many years, the University of Malta was the only university on the island until the American University of Malta was established in Bormla in 2016.
14. Population: The population primarily consists of Maltese, descendants of ancient Carthaginians, Phoenicians, Italians, and other Mediterranean peoples. Almost 98% of the population are Christians, who regularly attend church.
15. Religious Buildings: Malta has 365 churches and places of worship, with each home displaying Christian symbols.
16. Sunday Closures: Shopping malls, clothing stores, and beauty salons are closed on Sundays, which is considered a family day in Malta.
17. Official Languages: The official languages are Maltese and English, with many locals also understanding Italian.
18. Dog Breeds: While the Maltese dog is popular worldwide, it has no connection to the country’s name. The officially recognized breed in Malta is the Pharaoh Hound.